After coming off the bench to score at the weekend, the papers simply can’t get their fill of the man. But has he done enough to command a place in the starting line-up? Is he the future of football? Is he the saviour of a nation?

Like you, I don’t have all the answers to the above, but I’m on tenterhooks waiting to discover whether or not Vaclav Pilar will start for the Czechs in Slovakia.

I mean, coming on and scoring that equaliser against Latvia, he’s earned the right, hasn’t he?

Anyway, while I’m waiting for the team news to filter through from the Stadion Pod Dubnom I can train my punting minces on England’s trip to Italy.

More questions. Will Rooney break Lord Bobby’s record? Is Harry Kane the next Nat Lofthouse or the next Ian Ormondroyd? I’m not sure 90 minutes in Turin will supply an answer to the latter, but one thing I do know is that the incredibly serious and professional Roy Hodgson will treat this match as the most important game of his life while the Italians will treat it with the same casual indifference they show traffic lights. And that makes England a decent bet.

In the one serious game on the card, Wales against Belgium, I think I’ll do the Belgium-Belgium half-time-full-time result.

The Belgians are going to take a lead from the Welsh, whose tactic was their usual one; give the ball to Gareth Bale, ignore everyone else, and let him do the biz. Belgium will try a similar move with Marouane Fellaini. Hmmm. Second thoughts on that bet…

Match in Focus

17:15 Fr 3Apr SS1

Ipswich v
Bournemouth

Home Win

Draw

Away Win

Key stats

Bournemouth have scored 43 away goals this term

Expert verdict

Just as Ipswich’s playoff bid looked to be faltering, the Tractor Boys posted a couple of timely single-goal wins before the international break. However, Bournemouth have slipped back into top form to devastating effect and the division’s top scorers can take another step towards promotion at Portman Road.